Chia is the Hokkien romanization of the Chinese surname Xie. It is commonly used among Hokkien and Teochew speaking communities, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia, where it romanized as Chia. Variant romanizations include Hsieh (Mandarin), Tse (Cantonese), and Cheah or Sia. Etymology and Origins The surname Xie originates from the Chinese character 谢 (Xiè), which refers to the minor state of Xie that existed in what is now Hubei province during the Zhou dynasty. According to historical records, the descendants of the ruling family of the State of Xie adopted the state's name as their surname. The name is thus an ancient toponymic surname, one of the oldest in Chinese history. Chia, as a Hokkien and Teochew variant, thus inherits this origin. In addition to its connection to Xie, the surname Chia may also be a romanization of other Chinese surnames, such as Jia (贾, 郟, 甲, 家). According to Wiktionary, the name is sometimes borrowed from Mandarin 贾／贾 (Jiǎ), referring to a Shang dynasty state or the character meaning "merchant" via simplified forms, or from 郟／郏 (Jia), a place name. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the surname Chia include the American diver Mark Chia, the Chia family of Singaporean businessman Chia Thye Poh, and Chia Yong, a fellow of the Royal Society of Singapore. In the US, the surname is predominantly found in California and New York. Distribution According to the 2010 United States Census, Chia was the 16,450th most common surname in the United States, with 1,748 bearers. It is most prevalent in California, New York, Hawaii, and other states with large Asian populations. Meaning: Descendant of the State of Xie Origin: Chinese (toponymic) Type: Surname Usage Regions: Chinese diaspora (especially Hokkien and Teochew communities), Singapore, Malaysia, United States